A Pro Bowl alternate last year, Ihedigbo is unhappy with the two-year, $3.1-million deal he signed with the Lions last year.

He's scheduled to make $1.6 million this fall, including a $500,000 roster bonus that's already been paid. But that contract looks like a bargain considering his production last year and the one-year, $1.5-million contract the Lions gave backup Isa Abdul-Quddus as an unrestricted free agent this off-season.

Ihedigbo waved, but did not stop as he drove past two reporters standing outside the Lions' practice facility today.

The workout was off limits to reporters, but players said it was good to have one of their defensive leaders back in the fold.

"It was good," linebacker Jerrell Harris said. "He's definitely one of the leaders on the team so we look forward for him coming back and (he's) definitely one of the most important pieces to our defense."

Lions coach Jim Caldwell and general manager Martin Mayhew were rankled by Ihedigbo's decision to sit out Phase 1 and 2 of the off-season conditioning program and take his unhappiness public, with Caldwell saying earlier this month that he hoped Ihedigbo would report to camp "pronto."

"I'd like to have every guy here, but the fact of the matter is it doesn't always happen that way," Caldwell said. "Guys got to look at things, he's been around long enough and make his own determination and make his own decisions in that regard. But he's not mandated to be here at this point in time, so we'll see when he is mandated, what happens."

Last year, Ihedigbo had 71 tackles in 13 games and was a big reason why the Lions finished second in the NFL in total defense. He had a career-high four interceptions, forced three fumbles and recorded two sacks.

Despite his unhappiness, Caldwell made it clear that Ihedigbo's starting spot was not in jeopardy because he chose to spend the early part of the off-season away from the team.

For the past few months, Ihedigbo has been working out near his home in Texas.

"When James comes back here, James has been a significant contributor for us," Caldwell said after rookie minicamp earlier this month. "We know he's a talented guy that had one of his best years ever last year, so we're not minimizing what he's done. He's a talented guy."